Built-in light

ABSTRACT

In order further to develop a built-in light comprising a frame  1  which can be mounted to a ceiling, a retaining hoop  2  which can be fixed to the top side of the frame, a reflector  4  which can be connected to the frame  1  and a fitting carrier  3  which can also be connected to the frame  1  in such a way that it can be more easily assembled, it is proposed that the retaining hoop  2  is provided with lateral guide surfaces  2   d  for guiding the fitting carrier  3  and support surfaces  2   e  engaging thereunder for draw-like receiving the fitting carrier  3  and that there are provided latching means for connecting the fitting carrier  3  to the retaining hoop  2.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the US National Stage of International ApplicationNo. PCT/DE 2005/000129, filed on Jan. 28, 2005 and claims the benefitthereof. The International Application claims the benefits of Germanapplication No. 20 2004 001 479.3 filed on Jan. 30, 2004, both of theapplications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a built-in light comprising a frame which can bemounted to a ceiling and having a central opening, a retaining hoopwhich can be fixed to the top side of the frame and which spansbridge-like over the central opening, a reflector which can be connectedto the frame, a fitting carrier which can also be connected to the frameand latching means for connecting the fitting carrier to the retaininghoop.

By way of example German utility model No G 88 04 149 discloses a squarebuilt-in light of that kind, which generally nowadays is also referredto as a ‘down light’. In the course of assembly, the frame is fittedinto a corresponding receiving opening in the ceiling and latched to theceiling with fixing means which engage behind the rear side of theopening in the ceiling. In that situation the frame which is usually inthe form of a sturdy die cast frame pulls irregularities in the ceilingstraight so that the frame is caused to bear against the ceiling withouta gap. Mounted on the frame at the top side thereof is the retaininghoop which preferably comprises a stamped sheet metal part which issuitably bent in a U-shape. A reflector and a fitting carrier can bereleasably fixed to that retaining hoop. The fitting carrier receivesthe fittings for the lamp means which in the installation positionproject laterally through the reflector into the interior of theinternal space of the reflector. For cost reasons the reflector isnowadays preferably made from a very thin aluminium; in contrast, forstability reasons, the retaining hoop usually comprises steel sheet.Further built-in lights of that kind are known from DE 100 47 407 and DE295 09 094. EP 1 336 996 also discloses a hanging light. A built-inlight of another kind is known from DE 43 12 661.

In general terms the problem arises in built-in lamps of that kind thatthe entire built-in lamp, that is to say the reflector, has to beinstalled during electrical system installation in the phase of erectingthe carcass shell of the building. As still further stages inconstruction usually have to be performed after the electrical systeminstallation phase, the reflector from time to time gets dirty to aconsiderable extent or is scratched during the further building phases.Prior to final purchase the reflector either has to be separatelycleaned or even replaced. In particular in the ease of above-mentionedDE 100 47 407 a rail connecting the fitting carrier to the frame firsthas to be screwed to the top side of the frame. That is complicated andtime-consuming.

It is admittedly known for the reflector to be fixed releasably to theretaining hoop, but then assembly of the unit carrier is also quitecomplicated and expensive.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly the object of the present invention is to develop a built-inlight of the general kind set forth, in such a way that it is of aninexpensive structure and in addition it can be fitted more easily.

In accordance with the invention, in a built-in light of the kind setforth in the opening part of this specification, that object is attainedin that the retaining hoop includes tongues with lateral guide surfacesfor guiding the fitting carrier and support surfaces engaging thereunderfor draw-like receiving the fitting carrier on the retaining hoop andthat the fitting carrier has laterally extending slide bars which in theinstallation position engage into the tongues.

The draw-like receiving configuration on the frame for receiving thefitting carrier provides that the fitting carrier can be particularlyeasily fixed to the frame. The fitting carrier only has to be pushedinto the retaining hoop, in a direction of pushing movement which issubstantially parallel to the surface of the horizontally extending partof the retaining hoop, until the latching means come into latchingengagement. For that purpose provided on the retaining hoop forreceiving the fitting carrier are support surfaces which engagetherebeneath and lateral guide surfaces. Latching means are furtherprovided between the fitting carrier and the retaining hoop.

Preferably the latching means include latching tongues which areprovided on the fitting carrier and which in the installation positionengage into undercut configurations correspondingly provided on theretaining hoop. By way of example, the undercut configurations can be inthe form of simple openings on the fitting carrier.

The desired draw-like receiving means for the fitting carrier on theretaining hoop is particularly simple to produce if the fitting carrierhas suitably bent-over tongues which at the same time perform thelateral guide function and the contact support function; that can beachieved for example by the tongues being bent over in an angularconfiguration. On those angle portions, a vertical portion functions asa lateral guide element and a horizontal portion adjoining the verticalportion serves as a support surface for the fitting carrier. Those angleconfigurations can be provided by being simply stamped out and bent overon the retaining hoop. Preferably those tongues are provided at bothsides at the longitudinal edges of the horizontal portion of theretaining hoop in order to ensure a stable hold between the retaininghoop and the device carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presentlypreferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the square built-in light,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the built-in light to illustrateassembly in a suspended ceiling,

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view to illustrate assembly of the built-inlight, and

FIG. 4 shows a view on an enlarged scale of the detail IV in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures the square built-in light substantiallycomprises a square frame 1, a retaining hoop 2 which is screwed at thetop side to the frame 1, a fitting carrier 3 which can be connected to ahorizontal portion of the retaining hoop 2 and a reflector 4 which canbe releasably fixed to the underside of the horizontal portion of theretaining hoop.

Separately from the built-in light, it is connected by means of a cable5 to power supply unit boxes 6 which can be provided in the ceiling. Thepower supply unit box 6 serves to receive electronic or electrical powersupply units for operation of the built-in light.

The frame 1 is in the form of a die cast frame and has a horizontallyextending contact flange 1 a for bearing against an opening in aceiling, for example in a plasterboard panel. Adjoining the contactflange 1 a in inwardly displaced relationship is a step 1 b whichextends vertically in the installation position and which bears againstthe inside edge in the opening in the ceiling. Screwed on the top sideof the frame 1 is the U-shaped retaining hoop 2 which extends in abridge-like configuration over the central opening in the frame. Theretaining hoop 2 has two lateral vertical legs 2 a and a horizontal leg2 b connecting the vertical legs 2 a. That horizontal leg 2 b representsthe fixing plane for the fitting carrier 3 and the reflector 4.

The reflector 4 is releasably clipped to the underside of the retaininghoop 2. The fitting carrier 3 is shown in FIG. 1 in its assemblyposition of being pushed on to the retaining hoop 2.

FIG. 2 shows the built-in light upon installation. The power supply unitbox 6 is mounted on the top side of a plasterboard panel 1 or simplylaid thereon. The plasterboard panel 1 has a square opening 7 a, intowhich the frame 1 can be exactly inserted. In the phase involvingproduction of the carcass shell of the building the fitting carrier 3 ismerely pushed on to the retaining hoop 2 of the built-in light in adraw-like manner, that is to say by implementing a substantiallyhorizontal pushing movement, until there is latching engagement of thelatching means on the retaining hoop. In that pre-assembly position, theframe 1 is fitted into the opening and screwed therein; insertion of thereflector 4 and the lamp means is only effected in the last buildingphases in which damage to the reflector can no longer occur.

The connection technology as between the fitting carrier 3 and theretaining hoop 2 can be particularly clearly seen from FIGS. 3 and 4.The retaining hoop 2 has four of the tongues 2 c shown on an enlargedscale in FIG. 4. The tongues 2 c are produced by stamping at thelongitudinal edges in the region at the ends of the horizontal leg 2 b.Each tongue 2 c has a lateral guide surface 2 d projecting downwardlyout of the plane of the horizontal leg 2 b and an adjoining supportsurface 2 e which extends in downwardly displaced relationship parallelto the horizontal leg 2 b. The lateral guide surfaces 2 d and supportsurfaces 2 e are produced by simply bending over the tongues 2 c. Thetotal of four support surfaces 2 e of the tongues 2 c serve to receivethe slide bars 3 a formed on the fitting carrier at the outside thereof;the four support surfaces 2 e accordingly define a support plane. At thesame time the outer edges of those slide bars 3 a bear laterally againstthe guide surfaces 2 d. In the installation operation therefore thefitting carrier 3 only has to be connected to the retaining hoop 2 byperforming a horizontal thrust force.

The latching tongues 3 b provided on the fitting carrier 3 at the topside thereof serve for fixing in the assembled position. In theinstallation position they latch into four square openings 2 f in thehorizontal leg 2 b of the retaining hoop 2. In order for the fittingcarrier 3 to be particularly well fixed to the retaining hoop 2 in theinstallation position, two upwardly projecting supports 3 c are alsoformed on the fitting carrier between the retaining tongues 3 b, and inthe installation position clamp the retaining hoop 2 between them andthe top side of the fitting carrier 3. The fitting carrier 3 ispreferably injection moulded in the form of a plastic component andpreferably comprises thermoplastic materials, in particular PC, ABS, PA,PBT, POM and blends thereof. Fittings (not shown in greater detail) arearranged in the fitting carrier 3 for receiving the lamp means, which inthe installation position project through an opening in the reflector 4into the interior of the reflector 4.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A built-in light comprising: A frame (1) mounted to a ceiling andhaving a central opening; A retaining hoop (2) fixed to the top side ofthe frame and the retaining hoop spans bridge-like over the centralopening; A light reflector (4) connected to the frame (1) and a fittingcarrier (3) connected to the frame (1); wherein there are providedlatching means for connecting the fitting carrier (3) to the retaininghoop (2), the latching means characterized in that the retaining hoop(2) includes tongues (2 c) with lateral guide surfaces (2 d) for guidingthe fitting carrier (3) and support surfaces (2 e) engaging thereunderfor drawer-like receiving the fitting carrier (3) on the retaining hoop(2) and that the fitting carrier (3) has laterally extending slide bars(3 a) which in installation position engage into the tongues (2 c) ofthe retaining hoop (2), wherein the latching means further characterizedin that the fitting carrier (3) has latching tongues (3 b) which in theinstallation position engage behind corresponding undercutconfigurations on the retaining hoop (2).
 2. A built-in light accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the fitting carrier (3) has supports(3 c) which in the installation position embrace the retaining hoop (2).